Bologna continued their impressive run in Serie A with a 1-0 victory over Venezia at the Stadio Penzo on March 29, 2025, marking their fifth consecutive win in the league. The pivotal moment of the match came early in the second half when Riccardo Orsolini scored a stunning volley, his tenth goal of the season, to secure all three points for the Rossoblu.
Head coach Vincenzo Italiano expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, particularly highlighting the importance of maturity in their play after the international break. “I liked the fact we played as a mature team, which was by no means to be taken for granted, especially after the break for international duty,” Italiano said in the post-match press conference. “Many teams have struggled against Venezia in this stadium; we managed to resist with Skorupski’s saves and I am happy with Orsolini’s goal. He is returning to the player he was before the injury.”
The match started with Bologna asserting their dominance, as Orsolini was lively on the right side of the attack. Despite their early control, Bologna found themselves unable to break the deadlock in the first half, with both teams failing to capitalize on their chances. Venezia's Alessio Zerbin had a couple of opportunities, but solid defending from Bologna kept the scoreline level.
After the interval, Bologna came out with renewed energy. Just four minutes into the second half, Orsolini showcased his striking prowess by volleying a deep cross from Nicolo Cambiaghi into the top corner, leaving Venezia's goalkeeper Ionut Radu with no chance. This goal proved crucial, as Bologna's defense held firm against a late surge from the home side.
Italiano praised Orsolini's performance, stating, “He has this ability to be solid, decisive, incisive, and there are not many with those characteristics. Having him is a big deal for us.” Orsolini's goal not only solidified Bologna's position in the league but also reignited conversations around his potential inclusion in the national team, despite not being called up by coach Luciano Spalletti.
Bologna's victory keeps them firmly in fourth place in Serie A, now just eight points behind league leaders Inter Milan. The team has shown remarkable improvement under Italiano, who took over the coaching duties after a fifth-place finish last season under Thiago Motta. “We have an incredible tour de force coming up; we’ve got games against all the top teams that will be decisive for the rest of the season,” Italiano added, indicating the challenges ahead.
The coach also noted Bologna's recent trend of scoring early in the second half, a tactic that seems to be paying dividends. When asked about his halftime team talk, Italiano smiled and said, “It’s a secret. This team knows that a new match begins after the restart, so we have to start strong and not be superficial.”
As the match progressed, Venezia attempted to respond to the setback, making four substitutions in hopes of turning the tide. Eusebio Di Francesco's changes nearly paid off when Gianluca Busio and John Yeboah both had chances to level the score, but Bologna's goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski was equal to the task, preserving the clean sheet.
The win is a significant boost for Bologna, who now look to chase down Atalanta in third place. With the season entering its final stretch, every point counts, and Bologna is determined to make a serious push for European qualification. “We’ve got wingers who are well-suited to this style of football, all strong in one-on-one situations. They are all functional to our tactics and also in good shape, but what makes the difference is converting those chances into goals,” Italiano explained.
On the other hand, Venezia’s situation continues to worsen as they remain in 19th place, five points adrift of safety. With their relegation battle intensifying, the team will need to find a way to turn their fortunes around quickly. The pressure is mounting, and every match will be crucial as they try to escape the relegation zone.
As Bologna celebrates their victory, they will be looking forward to their next fixtures with optimism. With a solid squad and a focused mentality, the Rossoblu are ready to take on the challenges ahead and continue their pursuit of a top finish in Serie A.
